REASEHEATH College’s food centre has become the first and only educational institution in Britain to achieve an internationally recognised British Retail Consortium (BRC) certification.

The £7m food centre has been awarded a Grade A BRC – the highest possible quality mark within the food industry’s global standard for food safety.

The unique certification was approved after a robust two-day audit showed the department’s food manufacturing systems were operating under highly controlled conditions and to the highest industry standards.

The accolade is particularly prestigious as many food businesses strive, but never achieve, the elusive BRC standard at Grade A. The successful bid was led by Reaseheath technical manager Katharina Vogt.

Food centre head Toni-Anne Harrison said: “This was a tremendous achievement, gained through hard work and dedication and by an understanding of how these procedures and practices underpin everything that we do in the food centre.

“I am extremely proud to head up such a fantastic team, where individuals from both the commercial and educational worlds work so tirelessly together to move the department forwards.

“Our students are now fully immersed in industry standards and practices, and understand the value that is placed on ensuring these standards are both maintained and continuously moved forwards.”

College principal Meredydd David added: “This has been a tremendous achievement, as only the very best companies achieve BRC Grade A status. This certification proves that our food centre has a deep understanding of the industry it serves.

“It will bring the department tremendous credence and will heighten our standing within the food industry.”

The centre was opened in 2011 and is one of the best equipped food processing teaching and practical facilities in Europe.

Built to the exacting standards required by industry and staffed by a team of specialist food technologists, the facilities include dairy processing halls and production areas for butchery, bakery and confectionery. Many local, national and international food and drink manufacturers use the bespoke food halls for new product development or staff training.